Thomas Kelso

Thomas Kelso (1784-1878) was born in Clonis, North Ireland August 28, 1784. He died July 26, 1878 [Baltimore City Death Index, Maryland State Archives [http://www.msa.md.gov/msa/stagser/s1400/s1483/html/ssi1483ak.html] ] at his home on East Baltimore St. in Baltimore, Maryland.

Early life

The parents of Thomas Kelso died when he was a child. He has two older brothers, and a sister. Mr. Kelso came to the United States at age seven in 1791, arriving August 2, with his older brother, John Kelso. The Kelso boys oldest brother - George Kelso, was already working as a school teacher, in the U.S. and was known to be in the Baltimore vicinity. By chance, the three brothers were reunited while visiting at the school of the estranged sibling. With money from the oldest brother, $100, the three began a successful butchering business. [ The Late Thomas Kelso :Interesting Reminiscences Of The Life Of The Baltimore Philanthropist, (1878, July 28). New York Times, p. 8. ProQuest Historical Newspapers The New York Times (1851 - 2004) database. (Document ID: 81727180), Baltimore Sun, July 27, 1878, reprinted The New York Times, July 28, 1878] In 1807 he married Miss Ellen Cross, daughter of John and Jane Cross, well known and highly respected citizens of Cecil County, Maryland.

Public Life

During his career, he was a director in the Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad for 37 years, president of the Baltimore Equitable Fire Insurance Company [The Monumental City: Its Past and Present, By George Washington Howard, Published 1873, J.D. Ehlers, Baltimore (Md.), pg. 256] , vice president and director in the First National Bank of Baltimore [The Monumental City: Its Past and Present, By George Washington Howard, Published 1873, J.D. Ehlers, Baltimore (Md.), pg. 261, 477] , principal Director and the largest Stockholder in the Baltimore Steam Packet Company and the Seaboard and Roanoke Railroad Company, president of the Preachers' Aid Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and member of the board of directors of the Baltimore President of the Board of Directors of the Male Free School and Colored Institute. Politically, he was a member of the Baltimore City Common Council for several terms, when there was no salary attached to the position. His philanthropic efforts were his gifts to the Methodist Episcopal Church; he established the Kelso Home [Thomas Kelso's Will. (1878, August 2). New York Times, p. 2. ProQuest Historical Newspapers The New York Times (1851 - 2004) database. (Document ID: 80723965).] for orphans in 1872. [ [http://www.boardofchildcare.org/html/history.htm Board of Child Care of The United Methodist Church] previously known as Kelso Home] [Article from Enoch Pratt Library vertical file, Call Of Destitute Young Widow On Pastor Brought About Founding Of Kelso Home, Institution Established By Thomas Kelso, Wealthy Merchant In 1873. Jeffersonian April 17, 1936 ] [ (obituary) Thomas Kelso, of Baltimore, (1878, July 27). New York Times, p. 5. ProQuest Historical Newspapers The New York Times (1851 - 2004) database. (Document ID: 81726944) ] [The Monumental City: Its Past and Present, By George Washington Howard, Published 1873, J.D. Ehlers, Baltimore (Md.), pg. 51] The first location for the home was almost directly across the street from his residence.

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